System, method and storage medium for a memory subsystem command interface

ABSTRACT

A system for implementing a memory subsystem command interface, the system including a cascaded interconnect system including one or more memory modules, a memory controller and a memory bus. The memory controller generates a data frame that includes a plurality of commands. The memory controller and the memory module are interconnected by a packetized multi-transfer interface via the memory bus and the frame is transmitted to the memory modules via the memory bus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a memory subsystem and in particular, to amemory subsystem command interface.

Computer memory subsystems have evolved over the years, but continue toretain many consistent attributes. Computer memory subsystems from theearly 1980's, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,194 toLaVallee et al., of common assignment herewith, included a memorycontroller, a memory assembly (contemporarily called a basic storagemodule (BSM) by the inventors) with array devices, buffers, terminatorsand ancillary timing and control functions, as well as severalpoint-to-point busses to permit each memory assembly to communicate withthe memory controller via its own point-to-point address and data bus.FIG. 1 depicts an example of this early 1980 computer memory subsystemwith two BSMs, a memory controller, a maintenance console, andpoint-to-point address and data busses connecting the BSMs and thememory controller.

FIG. 2, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,135 to Dell et al., of commonassignment herewith, depicts an early synchronous memory module, whichincludes synchronous dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) 8, bufferdevices 12, an optimized pinout, an interconnect and a capacitivedecoupling method to facilitate operation. The patent also describes theuse of clock re-drive on the module, using such devices as phase lockloops (PLLs).

FIG. 3, from U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,100 to Grundon et al., of commonassignment herewith, depicts a simplified diagram and description of amemory system 10 that includes up to four registered dual inline memorymodules (DIMMs) 40 on a traditional multi-drop stub bus channel. Thesubsystem includes a memory controller 20, an external clock buffer 30,registered DIMMs 40, an address bus 50, a control bus 60 and a data bus70 with terminators 95 on the address bus 50 and data bus 70.

FIG. 4 depicts a 1990's memory subsystem which evolved from thestructure in FIG. 1 and includes a memory controller 402, one or morehigh speed point-to-point channels 404, each connected to a bus-to-busconverter chip 406, and each having a synchronous memory interface 408that enables connection to one or more registered DIMMs 410. In thisimplementation, the high speed, point-to-point channel 404 operated attwice the DRAM data rate, allowing the bus-to-bus converter chip 406 tooperate one or two registered DIMM memory channels at the full DRAM datarate. Each registered DIMM included a PLL, registers, DRAMs, anelectrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) andterminators, in addition to other passive components.

As shown in FIG. 5, memory subsystems were often constructed with amemory controller connected either to a single memory module, or to twoor more memory modules interconnected on a ‘stub’ bus. FIG. 5 is asimplified example of a multi-drop stub bus memory structure, similar tothe one shown in FIG. 3. This structure offers a reasonable tradeoffbetween cost, performance, reliability and upgrade capability, but hasinherent limits on the number of modules that may be attached to thestub bus. The limit on the number of modules that may be attached to thestub bus is directly related to the data rate of the informationtransferred over the bus. As data rates increase, the number and lengthof the stubs must be reduced to ensure robust memory operation.Increasing the speed of the bus generally results in a reduction inmodules on the bus, with the optimal electrical interface being one inwhich a single module is directly connected to a single controller, or apoint-to-point interface with few, if any, stubs that will result inreflections and impedance discontinuities. As most memory modules aresixty-four or seventy-two bits in data width, this structure alsorequires a large number of pins to transfer address, command, and data.One hundred and twenty pins are identified in FIG. 5 as being arepresentative pincount.

FIG. 6, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,120 to Petty, of common assignmentherewith, is related to the application of a daisy chain structure in amultipoint communication structure that would otherwise require multipleports, each connected via point-to-point interfaces to separate devices.By adopting a daisy chain structure, the controlling station can beproduced with fewer ports (or channels), and each device on the channelcan utilize standard upstream and downstream protocols, independent oftheir location in the daisy chain structure.

FIG. 7 represents a daisy chained memory bus, implemented consistentwith the teachings in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,120. A memory controller 111is connected to a memory bus 315, which further connects to a module 310a. The information on bus 315 is re-driven by the buffer on module 310 ato the next module, 310 b, which further re-drives the bus 315 to modulepositions denoted as 310 n. Each module 310 a includes a DRAM 311 a anda buffer 320 a. The bus 315 may be described as having a daisy chainstructure, with each bus being point-to-point in nature.

One drawback to the use of a daisy chain bus is that the transmission ofdata and commands between a memory controller and a memory module maynot be efficient when a single transmission occurs during each memoryclock cycle and each transmission includes one command directed to asingle memory module. Further, the format of the data and commands thatare transmitted from the memory controller to the memory module may notbe flexible in format, in that each command maps to a specific commandbit(s) in the transmission file.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a cascadedinterconnect system including one or more memory modules, a memorycontroller and a memory bus. The memory controller generates a dataframe that includes a plurality of commands (where the idle commandcounts as a command). The memory controller and the memory module areinterconnected by a packetized multi-transfer interface via the memorybus and the frame is transmitted to the memory modules via the memorybus.

Additional exemplary embodiments include a method for a memory subsystemcommand interface. The method includes receiving an input signalcontaining a plurality of commands at a current memory module. Thecurrent memory module is included in a cascaded interconnect system thatincludes a memory controller and one or more memory modules that areinterconnected via a memory bus. One or more of the commands areexecuted in response to the one or more commands being directed to thecurrent memory module.

Further exemplary embodiments include a storage medium for providing amemory subsystem command interface. The storage medium is encoded withmachine readable computer program code for causing a computer toimplement a method. The method includes receiving an input signalcontaining a plurality of commands at a current memory module. Thecurrent memory module is included in a cascaded interconnect system thatincludes a memory controller and one or more memory modules that areinterconnected via a memory bus. One or more of the commands areexecuted in response to the one or more commands being directed to thecurrent memory module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are numbered alikein the several FIGURES:

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art memory controller connected to two bufferedmemory assemblies via separate point-to-point links;

FIG. 2 depicts a prior art synchronous memory module with a bufferdevice;

FIG. 3 depicts a prior art memory subsystem using registered DIMMs;

FIG. 4 depicts a prior art memory subsystem with point-to-pointchannels, registered DIMMs, and a 2:1 bus speed multiplier;

FIG. 5 depicts a prior art memory structure that utilizes a multidropmemory ‘stub’ bus;

FIG. 6 depicts a prior art daisy chain structure in a multipointcommunication structure that would otherwise require multiple ports;

FIG. 7 depicts a prior art daisy chain connection between a memorycontroller and memory modules;

FIG. 8 depicts a cascaded memory structure that is utilized by exemplaryembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a memory structure with cascaded memory modules andunidirectional busses that is utilized by exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a buffered module wiring system that is utilized byexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 depicts a downstream frame format that is utilized by exemplaryembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 depicts an upstream frame format that is utilized by exemplaryembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 13 depicts a cascaded bus structure with segment sparing that isutilized by exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a table of primary command bus decodes that are utilized byexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a table of secondary command bus decodes that are utilized byexemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 16 depicts command combinations that may be utilized by exemplaryembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a sample command decode for a bank activate command that maybe utilized by exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a sample command decode for a read slow data buffer commandthat may be utilized by exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide the ability formultiple memory operations to be executed in parallel to maximize memorysubsystem bandwidth and system performance. The command structuredescribed herein permits several commands to be issued in a singlepacket, or frame. Commands that do not require all transfers of a givenframe are formatted to allow other commands to be optionally issued atthe same time (i.e., within the given frame).

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the memorysubsystem command interface is provided by a high speed and highreliability memory subsystem architecture and interconnect structurethat includes single-ended point-to-point interconnections between anytwo subsystem components. The memory subsystem further includes a memorycontrol function, one or more memory modules, one or more high speedbusses operating at a four-to-one speed ratio relative to a DRAM datarate and a bus-to-bus converter chip on each of one or more cascadedmodules to convert the high speed bus(ses) into the conventional doubledata rate (DDR) memory interface. The memory modules operate as slavedevices to the memory controller, responding to commands in adeterministic or non-deterministic manner, but do not self-initiateunplanned bus activity, except in cases where operational errors arereported in a real-time manner. Memory modules can be added to thecascaded bus, with each module assigned an address to permit uniqueselection of each module on the cascaded bus. Exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention include a packetized multi-transfer interfacewhich utilizes an innovative communication protocol to permit memoryoperation to occur on a reduced pincount, whereby address, command anddata is transferred between the components on the cascaded bus overmultiple cycles, and are reconstructed and errors corrected prior tobeing used by the intended recipient.

FIG. 8 depicts a cascaded memory structure that may be utilized byexemplary embodiments of the present invention when buffered memorymodules 806 (e.g., the buffer device is included within the memorymodule 806) are in communication with a memory controller 802. Thismemory structure includes the memory controller 802 in communicationwith one or more memory modules 806 via a high speed point-to-point bus804. Each bus 804 in the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 8includes approximately fifty high speed wires for the transfer ofaddress, command, data and clocks. By using point-to-point busses asdescribed in the aforementioned prior art, it is possible to optimizethe bus design to permit significantly increased data rates, as well asto reduce the bus pincount by transferring data over multiple cycles.Whereas FIG. 4 depicts a memory subsystem with a two to one ratiobetween the data rate on any one of the busses connecting the memorycontroller to one of the bus converters (e.g., to 1,066 Mb/s per pin)versus any one of the busses between the bus converter and one or morememory modules (e.g., to 533 Mb/s per pin), an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, as depicted in FIG. 8, provides a four to one busspeed ratio to maximize bus efficiency and to minimize pincount.

Although point-to-point interconnects permit higher data rates, overallmemory subsystem efficiency must be achieved by maintaining a reasonablenumber of memory modules 806 and memory devices per channel(historically four memory modules with four to thirty-six chips permemory module, but as high as eight memory modules per channel and asfew as one memory module per channel). Using a point-to-point busnecessitates a bus re-drive function on each memory module. The busre-drive function permits memory modules to be cascaded such that eachmemory module is interconnected to other memory modules, as well as tothe memory controller 802.

FIG. 9 depicts a memory structure with cascaded memory modules andunidirectional busses that is utilized by exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention. One of the functions provided by the memory modules806 in the cascade structure is a re-drive function to send signals onthe memory bus to other memory modules 806 or to the memory controller802. FIG. 9 includes the memory controller 802 and four memory modules806 a, 806 b, 806 c and 806 d, on each of two memory busses (adownstream memory bus 904 and an upstream memory bus 902), connected tothe memory controller 802 in either a direct or cascaded manner. Memorymodule 806 a is connected to the memory controller 802 in a directmanner. Memory modules 806 b, 806 c and 806 d are connected to thememory controller 802 in a cascaded manner.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes twouni-directional busses between the memory controller 802 and memorymodule 806 a (“DIMM #1”), as well as between each successive memorymodule 806 b-d (“DIMM #2”, “DIMM #3” and “DIMM #4”) in the cascadedmemory structure. The downstream memory bus 904 is comprised oftwenty-two single-ended signals and a differential clock pair. Thedownstream memory bus 904 is used to transfer address, control, writedata and bus-level error code correction (ECC) bits downstream from thememory controller 802, over several clock cycles, to one or more of thememory modules 806 installed on the cascaded memory channel. Theupstream memory bus 902 is comprised of twenty-three single-endedsignals and a differential clock pair, and is used to transfer read dataand bus-level ECC bits upstream from the sourcing memory module 806 tothe memory controller 802. Using this memory structure, and a four toone data rate multiplier between the DRAM data rate (e.g., 400 to 800Mb/s per pin) and the unidirectional memory bus data rate (e.g., 1.6 to3.2 Gb/s per pin), the memory controller 802 signal pincount, per memorychannel, is reduced from approximately one hundred and twenty pins toabout fifty pins.

FIG. 10 depicts a buffered module wiring system that is utilized byexemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a pictorialrepresentation of a memory module, with the arrows representing theprimary signal flows. The signal flows include the upstream memory bus902, the downstream memory bus 904, memory device address and commandbusses 1010 and 1006, and memory device data busses 1012 and 1008. In anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, a buffer device 1002,also referred to as a memory interface chip, provides two copies of theaddress and command signals to SDRAMs 1004 with the right memory deviceaddress and command bus 1006 exiting from the right side of the bufferdevice 1002 for the SDRAMs 1004 located to the right side and behind thebuffer module 1002 on the right. The left memory device address andcommand bus 1010 exits from the left side of the buffer device 1002 andconnects to the SDRAMs 1004 to the left side and behind the bufferdevice 1002 on the left. Similarly, the data bits intended for SDRAMs1004 to the right of the buffer device 1002 exit from the right of thebuffer device 1002 on the right memory device data bus 1008. The databits intended for the left side of the buffer device 1002 exit from theleft of the buffer device 1002 on the left memory device data bus 1012.The high speed upstream memory bus 902 and downstream memory bus 904exit from the lower portion of the buffer device 1002, and connect to amemory controller or other memory modules either upstream or downstreamof this memory module 806, depending on the application. The bufferdevice 1002 receives signals that are four times the memory module datarate and converts them into signals at the memory module data rate.

The memory controller 802 interfaces to the memory modules 806 via apair of high speed busses (or channels). The downstream memory bus 904(outbound from the memory controller 802) interface has twenty-four pinsand the upstream memory bus 902 (inbound to the memory controller 802)interface has twenty-five pins. The high speed channels each include aclock pair (differential), a spare bit lane, ECC syndrome bits and theremainder of the bits pass information (based on the operationunderway). Due to the cascaded memory structure, all nets arepoint-to-point, allowing reliable high-speed communication that isindependent of the number of memory modules 806 installed. Whenever amemory module 806 receives a packet on either bus, it re-synchronizesthe command to the internal clock and re-drives the command to the nextmemory module 806 in the chain (if one exists).

FIG. 11 depicts a downstream frame format that is utilized by exemplaryembodiments of the present invention to transfer information downstreamfrom the memory controller 802 to the memory modules 806. In anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the downstream frameconsists of eight transfers, with each transfer including twenty-twosignals and a differential clock (twenty-four wires total). The framefurther consists of eight command wires (c0 through c7) 1108, nine datawires (di0 through di8) 1106, four bus error correction code (ECC) wires(ecc0 through ecc3) 1104 and a spare wire (spare) 1102. The seventy-twodata bits are shown in FIG. 11 as bits di0 through di8, and consist ofnine wires with eight transfers on each wire for each frame. Inexemplary embodiments of the present invention, the frame formatdepicted in FIG. 11 may be utilized to deliver one to four memorycommands plus seventy-two bits of write data per memory clock cycle. Thenumbering of each data bit, as well as for other bits, is based on thewire used, as well as the specific transfer. D34 refers to data bit 3(of bits 0 through 8) and transfer 4 (of transfer 0 through 7). Thecommand bit field is shown as c0 through c7, and consists of sixty-fourbits of information provided to the module over eight transfers.

The ECC bit field (ecc0 through ecc3) consists of thirty-two bitpositions over eight transfers, but is actually formatted in groups ofsixteen bits. Each sixteen bit packet consists of four transfers overeach of the four wires, and provide the bus level fault detection andcorrection across each group of four bus transfers. The spare bitposition may be used to logically replace any of the other twenty-onewires, also defined as bitlanes, used to transfer bits in the command,data and ECC fields, should a failure occur in one of the bitlanes thatresults in exceeding a system-assigned failure threshold limit. Thespare wire may be utilized to replace a failing segment between any twodirectly connected assemblies (i.e., between the memory controller 802and the memory module 806 a, or between any two memory modules 806 a-d),to replace a wire due to events, such as a wire failure, a connectorfailure, a solder interconnect failure, a driver failure and/or areceiver failure. Out of the one hundred and seventy-six possible bitpositions, one hundred and sixty-eight are available for the transfer ofinformation to the memory module 806, and of those one hundred andsixty-eight bit positions, thirty-two bit positions are further assignedto providing ECC protection on the bus transfers themselves, therebyallowing a total of one hundred and thirty-six bit positions to be usedfor the transfer of information to the memory module 806. The frameformat depicted in FIG. 11 is applicable to incoming signals to a memorymodule 806, from the direction of the memory controller, as well as theoutgoing signals to any downstream memory modules 806.

FIG. 12 depicts an upstream frame format that is utilized by exemplaryembodiments of the present invention to transfer information upstreamfrom a memory module 806 to either the memory controller 802 or anupstream memory module 806. In an emplary embodiment of the presentinvention, the upstream frame consists of eight transfers, with eachtransfer including twenty-three signals and a differential clock(twenty-five wires total). The frame further consists of eighteen datawires (do0 through do17) 1206, four bus ECC wires (ecc0 through ecc3)1204 and a spare wire (spare) 1202. In exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, the frame format depicted in FIG. 12 may be utilizedto deliver one hundred and forty-four read data bits per memory clockcycle. The numbering of each data bit, as well as for other bits, isbased on the wire used as well as the specific transfer. D34 refers todata bit 3 (of bits 0 through 17) and transfer 4 (of transfer 0 through7).

The ECC bit field (ecc0 through ecc3) consists of thirty-two bitpositions over eight transfers, but is actually formatted in groups ofsixteen bits. Each sixteen bit packet consists of four transfers overeach of the four wires with error correction being performed every fourtransfers. The bus level error correcting code fault detection andcorrection is performed by a logic block that includes instructions tocarry out the detection and correction. The spare wire position may beused to logically replace any of the other twenty-two wires used totransfer bits in the data and ECC fields should a failure occur in oneof these wires that is consistent in nature. A failure may be consideredto be consistent in nature if it exceeds a system dependent thresholdvalue (e.g., number of times the failure is detected). Single bitlanefailures may be corrected on the fly by the bus level ECC, while asystem service element, such as a service processor, may decide to spareout a failing segment to repair hard (e.g., periodic, repeating andcontinuous) failures that may occur during system operation. The sparewire may be utilized to replace a failing segment between any twodirectly connected assemblies (i.e., between the memory controller 802and the memory module 806 a, or between any two memory modules 806 a-d),to replace a wire due to any purpose, such as wire failure, a connectorfailure, a solder interconnect failure, a driver failure and/or areceiver failure. Out of the one hundred and eighty-four possible bitpositions, one hundred and seventy-six are available for the transfer ofinformation to the memory module 806, and of those one hundred andseventy-six bit positions, thirty-two bit positions are further assignedto providing ECC protection on the bus transfers themselves, therebyallowing a total of one hundred and forty-four bit positions to be usedfor the transfer of information to an upstream memory module 806 or tothe memory controller 802.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention maximize memory subsystemsurvivability in the event of more than one failing interconnect betweenthe memory controller 802 and the first memory module 806, as well asbetween any two interconnected memory modules 806 in the subsystem. FIG.13 depicts a cascaded module bus structure with segment level sparingthat is utilized by exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG.13 includes a simplified drawing of a memory subsystem that includes thememory controller 802, a cascaded downstream memory bus 904, a cascadedupstream memory bus 902, four memory modules 806 a-d (with more or lesspermissible), and a series of replaced segments 1302 that compriseunique wires between every two assemblies on the downstream memory bus904.

The cascaded and repowered nature of the buffered memory module 806architecture results in independent memory command and data busses oneach memory module 806 in the channel. This structure allows multiplememory operations to be performed simultaneously on each of theindependently repowered memory interfaces. The memory controllerinterface data and command structures are formatted into serializedframes with the same duration as a memory clock period. The frame formatutilized by exemplary embodiments of the present invention allowmultiple memory operations to be executed in parallel to maximize memorysubsystem bandwidth and system performance.

Exemplary embodiments of the interface command structure protocol andframe format are further enhanced to optimize DRAM operation in both“open” and “closed” page policies. In an open page policy, the memorycontroller 802 will generally leave memory pages open (memory pages left“active” or “active-standby”), or even open pages based on predictionlogic, in hopes that a subsequent access will occur to the same rowaddress (page). This method works well when memory accesses have a highdegree of locality, and can serve as a low-cost cache structure. Thecommand protocol utilized by exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention include frames that allow multiple memory “bank activate”,“write”, and “read” commands to be issued in a single memory clockcycle. In addition, the command protocol structure is designed toaccommodate “closed” page policies, where the memory being accessed isprecharged immediately after the access is complete. The memorycontroller interface protocol includes packeted command frames thatinclude both a “bank activate”, as well as an associated “write” or“read” command that is targeted to the same rank of memory devices.

Further, the interface command structure and protocol may utilize alldata fields, or command bits, in all transfers, thereby permitting up tofour commands to be issued in a single packet. Commands that do notrequire all transfers of a given frame are formatted to allow othercommands (e.g., secondary commands) to be optionally issued at the sametime.

FIG. 14 is a table of primary command bus decodes that are utilized byexemplary embodiments of the present invention. The table in FIG. 14includes four columns: a command category 1412, a command column 1414, aprimary command decode column 1416 and a type column 1418. The commandcategory column 1412 includes the value of bits zero, one and two in thefirst transfer (referred to as transfer zero in FIG. 11) containing thecommand, where the value of the bits determines the type, or category,of the command. Bit zero corresponds to the first bit, labeled “c0”(i.e., signal 14) in the command wires 1108 in FIG. 11, bit onecorresponds to the bit labeled “c1”, bit two to the bit labeled “c2”,etc. As shown in FIG. 14, example command categories include activatecommands 1402, page and mode register set (MRS) commands 1404, othercommands 1406, slow commands 1408 and a no operation command 1410. Thecommand column 1414 includes the value of bits that are utilized todetermine which command within the command category is being selected.For example, the command for an activate command category may be one ofbank activate, bank activate with packet read or bank activate withpacket write, based on the values in the command bits (in the case of anactivate command 1402 bits three and four of the fourth transfer(referred to as transfer three) in the frame).

The primary command decode column 1416 contains the value of the commandcorresponding to the command category column 1412 and the command column1414. The type column 1418 specifies the length and possible locationsof the command in a frame being transferred. For example, the bankactivate command may be located in transfers zero through three of aframe and/or in transfers four to seven of the frame. In contrast, thebank activate with packet read command and the bank activate with packetwrite command may only be located in transfers zero through six of aframe. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the bankactivate with packet read command specifies the column address intransfers four and five and a read delay in transfer six.

For example, if the command starts in transfer zero, then “C00”=“1”,“C10”=“1” and “C20”=“1” for an activate type of command. In addition,“C33”=“0” and “C34”=“0” for a bank activate command. Bank activatecommands, like all 0:3/4:7 and 0:2/4:6 commands, may start in transferzero and/or transfer four of a frame.

FIG. 15 depicts a summary of secondary command bus decodes that may beutilized by exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In general,secondary commands do not require an address field and only require onetransfer within the frame. The table in FIG. 15 includes a bit valuecolumn 1502 that specifies the contents of bits zero through seven forvarious secondary commands during transfer three or seven of a dataframe. The secondary command decode column 1504 translates the bits intoa secondary command. The secondary command type column 1506 specifiesthe transfers that may contain each secondary command. All of theexemplary commands depicted in the table require one transfer and may belocated in transfer three and/or transfer seven of a frame. For example,the write to buffer command is specified by a “11” located in bits zeroand one, a buffer address may be specified in bits two to four and amemory module 806 specified in bits five through seven. In anotherexample, an enter power down mode command may be specified by a “100”located in bits zero through two, a rank specified in bits three andfour, and a memory module 806 specified in bits five through seven.

FIG. 16 depicts command combinations that may be utilized by exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. As described previously, commandsthat do not require all eight transfers within a frame may be combinedwith other commands in the same frame. The commands in a single framemay be directed to the same or different memory modules 806. As shown inFIG. 16, an idle command 1604 may be the only active command. A commandrequiring transfers zero through six (e.g., bank activate with packetread, bank activate with packet write, and DRAM clock synchronization)may be combined with a command requiring transfer seven (e.g., write todata buffer, enter power down mode, and refresh). A command requiringtransfers zero through three (e.g., bank activate, and page write) maybe combined with a command requiring transfers four to seven (e.g., bankactivate, and page write). Also shown in FIG. 16, a command requiringtransfers zero to three may be combined with a command requiringtransfers four to six (enter self timed refresh, read data response) andanother command requiring transfer seven (e.g., refresh, and write todata buffer). Other combinations (e.g., those shown in FIG. 16) may beimplemented by exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Furtherflexibility is enabled by supporting the SDRAM refresh command as bothprimary commands (0:2/4:6) and as secondary commands (3/7).

FIG. 17 is a sample command decode for a bank activate command that maybe utilized by exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Transferzero includes “111” in bits zero through two, a memory module 806selection in bits three through five and a rank selection in bits sixthrough seven. Transfer one includes a bank selection in bits zerothrough two and the first five bits of a row address in bits threethrough seven. Transfer two includes the next eight bits of the rowaddress. Transfer three includes the last three bits of the row addressin bits zero through two, a “00” in bits three and four signifying nopacket and zeros in bits five through seven. This leaves transfers fourthrough seven available for other commands in configurations, such asthose shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a sample command decode for a read slow data buffer commandthat may be utilized by exemplary embodiments of the present invention.Slow commands may be utilized to access internal memory moduleregisters. Because a limited number of address and data bits may betransferred during a slow command, a slow data buffer is used totemporarily store subsets of data that are ultimately transferred to andfrom internal memory module 806 registers. The read slow data buffercommand depicted in FIG. 18 requires three frames. The first frameincludes a “000” in bits zero through two to signify an idle, a “00” inbits three and four to signify a read slow data buffer command and amemory module 806 selection in bits five through seven. The same data isincluded in all eight transfers within the frame. The second frameincludes the same data as the first frame, except for a “001” in bitszero through two to signify a slow command. Again, the same data isincluded in all eight transfers within the frame. The third frameincludes the same data as the first frame. In this way all bits otherthan bit two itself: setup to, hold past and are qualified by, theactivation of bit two. The bit line associated with bit two is monitoredto detect a transition from one state to another (e.g., from a “0” to a“1”). This enables slow commands to be executed prior to the upstreamand downstream initialization and alignment procedure.

Example commands, combinations of commands within a frame and placementof bits within frame transfers for example commands have been describedherein. Other commands, combinations and placements may be implementedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide the ability formultiple memory operations to be executed in parallel to maximize memorysubsystem bandwidth and system performance. If a command does notutilize all transfers within a frame, then another command(s) may beinserted into the frame. The other command(s) may be directed to thesame or different memory module 806 as the first command. In this mannermultiple commands may be initiated within the same clock cycle.

As described above, the embodiments of the invention may be embodied inthe form of computer-implemented processes and apparatuses forpracticing those processes. Embodiments of the invention may also beembodied in the form of computer program code containing instructionsembodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, harddrives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when thecomputer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, thecomputer becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The presentinvention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, forexample, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executedby a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such asover electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or viaelectromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code isloaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes anapparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on ageneral-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segmentsconfigure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denoteany order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. areused to distinguish one element from another.

1. A cascaded interconnect system comprising: one or more memorymodules; a memory controller for generating a data frame that includes aplurality of commands; a memory bus, wherein the memory controller andthe memory modules are interconnected by a packetized multi-transferinterface via the memory bus and wherein the frame is transmitted to thememory modules via the memory bus.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein thecommands are directed to two or more memory modules.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the commands are directed to the same memory module. 4.The system of claim 1 wherein the frame is transmitted within a singlememory clock cycle.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the memory busincludes a downstream memory bus.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein theframe includes eight transfers, each transfer includes eight commandbits and the commands are stored in the command bits in the frame. 7.The system of claim 1 wherein the frame includes one to four memorycommands and seventy-two bits of write data.
 8. The system of claim 1wherein one or more of the commands are primary commands.
 9. The systemof claim 1 wherein one or more of the command are secondary commands.10. The system of claim 1 wherein the commands are a mix of secondaryand primary commands.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the memory busincludes a plurality of segments and the system further comprises asegment level sparing module to provide segment level sparing for thememory bus upon segment failure.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein thememory device data bus operates at a data rate and the memory busoperates at four times the data rate.
 13. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising a bus level error correcting code fault detection andcorrection logic block to provide bus level error fault detection andcorrection.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the memory module is abuffered memory module.
 15. The system of claim 1 wherein the data framefurther includes write data.
 16. A method for a memory subsystem commandinterface, the method comprising: receiving an input signal including aplurality of commands at a current memory module, wherein the currentmemory module is included in a cascaded interconnect system thatincludes a memory controller and one or more memory modules that areinterconnected via a memory bus; and executing one or more of thecommands in response to the one or more commands being directed to thecurrent memory module.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the inputsignal is received within a single memory clock cycle.
 18. The method ofclaim 16 wherein the plurality of commands includes one command directedto the current memory module and another command directed to anothermemory module.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein the plurality ofcommands includes two commands directed to the current memory module.20. The method of claim 16 wherein the input signal includes a dataframe.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the data frame includes eighttransfers, each transfer includes eight command bits and the commandsare stored in the command bits in the frame.
 22. The method of claim 20wherein the data frame includes one to four memory commands andseventy-two bits of write data.
 23. The method of claim 16 wherein theinput signal includes two commands.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein afirst command is located in the first seven transfers of the frame and asecond command is located in the eighth transfer of the frame oralternatively, the first command is located in the first four transfersof the frame and the second command is located in the last fourtransfers of the frame.
 25. The method of claim 16 wherein the inputsignal includes three commands.
 26. The method of claim 25 wherein afirst command is located in the first four transfers of the frame, asecond command is located in the fifth through seventh transfer of theframe and a third command is located in the eight transfer of the frameor alternatively, the first command is located in the first threetransfers of the frame, the second command is located in the fourthtransfer of the frame and the third command is located in the fifththrough eighth transfer of the frame.
 27. The method of claim 16 whereinthe input signal includes four commands.
 28. The method of claim 27wherein a first command is located in the first three transfers of theframe, a second command is located in the fourth transfer of the frame,a third command is located in the fifth through seventh transfer of theframe and a fourth command is located in the eight transfer of theframe.
 29. The method of claim 27 wherein the input signal furtherincludes write data.
 30. The method of claim 16 further comprising:identifying one of the commands as a slow command; and monitoring asingle bit line in response to the identifying, wherein the executing isperformed further in response to the single bit line transitioning fromone state to another, thereby eliminating the need for high speed linktraining and initialization to perform the slow commands.
 31. A storagemedium encoded with machine readable computer program code for providinga memory subsystem command interface, the storage medium includinginstructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:receiving an input signal containing a plurality of commands at acurrent memory module, wherein the current memory module is included ina cascaded interconnect system that includes a memory controller and oneor more memory modules that are interconnected via a memory bus; andexecuting one or more of the commands in response to the one or morecommands being directed to the current memory module.
 32. The storagemedium of claim 31 wherein the input signal is received within a singlememory clock cycle.
 33. The storage medium of claim 31 wherein theplurality of commands includes one command directed to the currentmemory module and another command directed to another memory module. 34.The storage medium of claim 31 wherein the plurality of commandsincludes two commands directed to the current memory module.
 35. Thestorage medium of claim 31 wherein the input signal includes a dataframe, the data frame including one to four memory commands andseventy-two bits of write data.